It all started at Terminal Guilt, Gate Regret.
Chapter 9 of the Empowered Healing Series
Link to Chapter 8: https://calm-core-cozy-layers.blog/2025/03/26/across-oceans-within-every-breath/
Let me paint the picture!
I was at this imaginary airport — don’t ask how I got there, I’m just as confused — standing in line with a suitcase that looked like it had been dragged through a decade of overthinking and people-pleasing. The zipper was gasping. I’m honestly surprised it didn’t pop open and hit someone in the face with a memory from that one zoom call where you were definitely not on mute.
The airline agent, a woman named Joy (because of course she was), took one look at it and said,
“Oh honey. You’re about to get charged an emotional baggage fee.”
She wasn’t wrong.
She even read the tag out loud:
“Contents: Old fears, outdated guilt, and the crushing weight of trying to please everyone always.”
Apparently, I’d been hauling it for years. Never even noticed. I’d just gotten good at carrying it. (10/10 posture, zero peace.)
Then Joy told me they’d updated their policy — you could now “leave stuff behind”. There was even a bright blue bin labeled:
“Unhelpful Thoughts & Feelings: Let Go Here.”
I laughed nervously. “Cool, cool. But like… what if I need the ‘What Will People Think’ folder? It’s color-coded and everything.”
Before I could keep talking myself out of it, this older woman rolled by with the calmest energy I’ve ever seen and a tiny backpack labeled “Things I Actually Like.” She gave me a knowing look and said,
“Travel lighter. Feels better.”
So I started unpacking.
Out went the awkward memory from high school.
Tossed the jar of guilt I’d kept since forever.
Even let go of the laminated “What-ifs” flashcards I’d reviewed every night like bedtime stories.
The bag zipped up effortlessly. Light as a marshmallow. (Okay maybe not that light, but you get the idea.)
Joy slapped on a sticker that read “Now Boarding: Peace & Snacks” and waved me through.
And I kid you not — as I walked away, I swear my suitcase whispered, “Finally.”
As I boarded, I noticed I wasn’t the only one.
Someone had tossed out an old to-do list.
Someone else left behind a grudge so big it filed for taxes separately.
I found a window seat, leaned back, and thought:
“Maybe healing doesn’t have to be dramatic. Maybe it’s just getting tired of paying extra for stuff you don’t even want to carry.”
The seatbelt sign came on.
I fastened mine around my joy and carried on — minus the baggage.
-Nitya
🌟 Ready for the next layer?
👉 Read Chapter 10:
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